Tammy Abraham needs to work like Didier Drogba - Claude Makelele

Tammy Abraham can fulfil his ambition of becoming one of the Premier League's best strikers if he is willing to match the work ethic of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, according to Swansea City assistant coach Claude Makelele.

Abraham -- who has scored three goals in nine appearances in all competitions on loan at Swansea this season -- will hope to buck the trend of talented Chelsea academy youngsters failing to establish themselves in the senior squad.

Makelele said he is confident that Abraham is capable of living up to the hype, but the former Chelsea midfielder said it will ultimately be down to the 20-year-old.

"He's young and he has time on his side," Makelele told the London Evening Standard. "He wants to be one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He gets an example in the way Drogba and [Samuel] Eto'o play. But to do [what they did] he must work like they did."

Former Chelsea star Claude Makelele, left, currently works as assistant to Swansea boss Paul Clement.

Asked whether he can play for Chelsea one day, the former France star said: "I hope so. He needs to be successful with Swansea first and learn more and more to come back and push for Antonio Conte's team. It's going to be difficult. He needs to adapt very well but we will push him. But he has to show the ambition to reach the top.

"I tell him to do everything: run, fight. Some young players think about dribbling but they need to understand about their teammates. He is fast. Go in space and you'll make the difference for your team-mates. It all depends on him.

"He's good. But he has to push himself and learn more. Then he can be one of the best strikers in the Premier League."

Abraham joined Chelsea's academy at under-8 level and went on to win back-to-back FA Youth Cups and UEFA Youth Leagues in 2015 and 2016 before spending last season on loan at Bristol City, where he scored 23 goals in 41 Championship appearances and was voted the club's Player of the Year.

Earlier this summer he signed a new five-year contract that commits him to Chelsea until June 2022.